As the sharing economy explodes, jurisdictions are grappling with the implications. In this webinar, Avenu experts shared how jurisdictions can handle the regulatory disruption caused by the sharing economy.
You’ll learn about:
The next few years are critical for determining how to respond to this evolving industry and proactively develop a strategy that efficiently advances urban sustainability.
The webinar was presented by Jonathan Gerth – Vice President of Audit Services for Avenu.
CLICK HERE to view the presentation.
The October 13 deadline for Governor Newsom to sign bills has come and gone. Implementation begins. Avenu is positioned to assist local agencies in implementing the new laws, including business license measures, and SB 344 the one-year extension for AB 1717 (2014) that captures UUT revenues from prepaid. READ MORE HERE.
This comprehensive guide covers selected measures – including many were considered the final weeks of session. The report covers legislation impacting local revenue sources and issues surrounding local governance. The Governor must act on measures by October 13, 2019. READ MORE HERE.
Avenu joins its California client cities, transportation authorities, mayors, business leaders and other local government leaders requesting the Governor’s signature on SB 5.
SB 5 is sound policy and will allow the state to fill the void left by the elimination of redevelopment and provide more tools to support local efforts to build more affordable housing, provide essential infrastructure, and create opportunities in underserved communities.
“On behalf of a broad coalition of labor, local government, housing advocates, and business leaders, we ask that you sign Senate Bill 5 (Beall, McGuire, Portantino). SB 5 is the only legislation passed this year that will immediately result in housing being built, particularly for low-income families and those on the brink of homelessness.
Senate Bill 5 would create the Affordable Housing and Community Development Program to provide cities and counties the resources they need to help fund the construction of affordable housing, including rental housing, available to very low, low and moderate-income families. This bill would stimulate housing for those particularly vulnerable to homelessness.”
The full coalition letter can be read here.
Managing pension and benefit plans can be challenging in today’s world. Disparate data sources, ongoing legislative changes, manual processes and work-arounds, and the increasing demand for instant access to information all create a complicated situation. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated.
We recently released CPASv5 by Avenu. Your all- in-one system for smarter pension administration.
With its versatility to handle any type of benefit plan from Defined Benefit, Defined Contribution, Hybrid pension Plans, savings plans, and Health and Welfare Benefits, CPAS has all the functionality administrators, employers, members and retirees need.
CPAS is powerful, yet flexible to easily respond to changes in plan design, legislation and administration practices.
Built-in workflows, case management and automation allow you to process eligibility, employment and contribution da\ta, run benefit calculations in seconds, and process benefit payments.
Operations are more efficient. With a single system and source of data, information is current, relevant and secure.
You are also provided a 360 degree view of a member’s account for improved client communication and faster service.
In turn members can access their up-to-date information at any time, on any device and have the tools to plan for their financial future.
If you’re in charge of reporting unclaimed property for your company, you understand the dreaded challenges it can bring each year, especially if reports for multiple jurisdictions are needed.
Just a few of the many frustrations include:
As if that’s not enough, you have to produce final reports on a timely basis.
Audits or numerous penalties can easily become a reality if reporting is inaccurate or late. An audit by a state or third-party can be triggered by filing late, flawed reports, or improper reporting formats. Wanting to avoid these scenarios brings a certain amount of stress with the job.
Additionally, reporting unclaimed property incorrectly takes away much-needed internal resources from core business operations, all while accruing expensive legal costs and penalty fees. Each state has their own interest penalty and daily fines depending on the situation, which can put a dent in your company’s budget and operating costs.
Perhaps the most confusing aspect is keeping all the unclaimed property reporting deadlines straight, in order to avoid running into any of the aforementioned problems.
Unclaimed Property Reporting Due Dates
Most states have a fall reporting deadline of October 31 or November 1, and a few have a spring or summer date. In some cases, states may have multiple deadlines depending on the type of property.
It’s essential for businesses to be prepared for the unclaimed property reporting period(s) and be educated on the many rules and regulations that come with it. One method that refines the process for a hassle-free experience is electronic reporting, which decreases the amount of errors and aids in avoiding hefty interest, penalties and fines.
Achieving Hassle-Free Reporting
An Intuitive Software Solution for Comprehensive Compliance
It is time-consuming to keep up with the ever-changing laws, reporting procedures and state specific forms, but there’s a solution with an unclaimed property reporting software like HRS Pro. Everything you need to meet compliance for each jurisdiction is at your fingertips. Equipped with full reporting capabilities in the NAUPA II format for all states—including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia—HRS Pro is a seamless reporting tool and cost-efficient solution.
Here are just a few of the awesome features of the HRS Pro ‘Enterprise’ version:
There’s also the choice of desktop or web applications, depending on your company’s preferred data solution.
Unparalleled Accessibility Through Desktop or Web
The Enterprise version for HRS Pro offers two software options: desktop or web application. To determine which is better for your reporting needs, we’ve listed a few key differences.
Desktop Enterprise
Web Enterprise
Both options provide you with comprehensive functionality for a low annual fee, creating a hassle-free reporting season.
Don’t let the process of reporting your unclaimed property be harder than it should be, visit the HRS Pro website.
Americans are strapped for cash. Only 40% of Americans have enough money to pay a $1,000 unexpected expense from savings. We’re constantly looking for second jobs, and ways to bring in extra money. However, Americans are starting to realize there may be an easier way to put a little extra money in your pocket.
MissingMoney.com is a national search tool that works with 43 state treasurers to help citizens find and claim unclaimed property. You might be amazed just how much money people are receiving.
A few examples of how much money available includes: New York, $13 billion; California, $9 billion; Illinois, $2.9 billion; Florida, $1 billion; and Colorado, $600 million.
Recently, a New Jersey resident, Erin Fiorello, received $1,000 from the state of New Jersey. Imagine what you could pay off or the impact an extra $1,000 could have. She first realized she could claim money when a group approached her willing to help claim the money for a fee. With MissingMoney.com she found out she was owed $1,000 and pocketed the entire amount.
In Ohio, fair attendees were treated to a surprise. The state of Ohio reunited 553 fairgoers with $195,118.89 at the Ohio State Fair. Instead of a booth trying to get you to spend your money, this booth helped people receive an average of $350. That would brighten anyone’s fair experience!
U.S. News and World Report recently ran an article discussing some of the common types of unclaimed property available: former pensions and retirement plans, life insurance policies, bank accounts, unpaid wages, utility bills, etc. They also share the story of one person who was able to help his family.
“Steve Wiegenstein, an author in Columbia, Missouri, suggests visiting MissingMoney.com. “I recently found $178 from the state of Illinois that was owed to me as an unclaimed escrow return from the sale of a house that occurred nearly 10 years ago,” he says.
He adds that he then recommended MissingMoney.com to his daughter. “She found a utility refund from Iowa that dated back to her college years,” he says.
While every state has programs to return money to citizens, MissingMoney.com lets you search almost every state to see where you are owed money. After submitting a form, the money can be yours. This capability helped one of Avenu’s happiest recipients who found money in multiple states.
One recipient recently shared their experience with us through direct message. This message made our day. “This year, our family claimed: $6k from Kansas, $3k from Georgia, and $3.6k from Michigan.” Wow!
Take a moment today and search your name on MissingMoney.com and see what you could claim. Share this exciting news with your friends and family as well. They may love what they find!
Avenu’s webinar showcases a cutting-edge new document search tool developed specifically for local government in partnership with Google Cloud and Sada Systems. Clearview Super Search enables governments to access documents with lightning speed across departments. The advanced search techniques allow constituents to quickly and conveniently search, purchase and download files, reducing support calls, while increasing revenue and productivity.
The webinar featured De Ana Thompson – Vice President, Blair Reuling – Sales Manager with Google Could Search, and Chad Johnson – Director of Google Cloud Search with SADA Systems. Our panel discussed challenges faced by Recorders/Clerks, a Clearview Super Search demo, and how we indexed over 13 million records for one customer in Oakland County – MI.
Local governments know that managing IT is a constant challenge.
Whether it’s quick turnover in technology and staff or managing cloud, legacy, and cyber security systems all at once, teams struggle to keep up with the rapid pace of change which costs you valuable time and resources.
Is IT taking up more effort and money in your organization than it should?
Well, it doesn’t have to anymore. IT Managed Solutions by Avenu is your trusted touchpoint for the entire IT infrastructure.
With decades of experience in IT, we help you get the most from your mainframe, client-server, and cloud-based systems so you never have to chase talent again.
Avenu provides the flexibility you need by offering some, all, or shared services. Empowering you to reduce costs, get actionable results from data, and optimize availability in your organization.
Plus, we become your partner for the long run. Your customized IT services includes:
When governments need continuous IT expertise, they turn to IT Managed Solutions by Avenu.
In 2010, Beaumont’s leaders partnered with Avenu to explore a different kind of resource: untapped revenue. Starting with a simple hotel audit, they discovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in hotel taxes. The partnership — and its associated revenue stream — continue to grow; with Avenu’s resources, insight, and expertise, Beaumont has tapped into millions in additional hotel taxes, sales and use taxes, and more.